Runner-checker apparatus with variable-speed mechanism

ABSTRACT

A runner checker for measuring and indicating the length of yarn being fed from the warp beam section of a warp-knitting machine, including a pulse generator mounted on each tension letoff controller assembly of a warp beam section to produce pulses related to unit lengths of warp yarn feed, a device connected to the pattern wheel drive shaft of the knitting machine for producing pulses related to pattern wheel rotation, and electronic circuitry responding to the pulses to indicate the yarn runner length in a rack of cloth. A variable speed-coupling is provided between the pulse generator and the drive wheel of the tension letoff controller.

United States Patent lnventors Raymond Baines Fertig Ronceverte; Samuel Eugene Mitchell, Lewisburg; Lawrence C reigh Nickel], Ronceverte; Ernest L. Eggleaton, Alderson, all of W. Va. Appl. No. 80,945 Filed Oct. 15, 1970 Patented Dec. 28, I971 Assignee Appalachian Electronic Instruments, Inc.

Ronceverte, W. Va.

RUNNER-CHECKER APPARATUS WITH VARIABLE-SPEED MECHANISM 9 Claims, 10 Drawing Figs.

US. Cl 66/86,

235/92, 66/125 Int. CL... D04b 27/00 Field of Search 66/1, 86 A,

86, 123; 235/92 PD, 92 EA, 92 CA Primary Examiner-Ronald Feldbaum AltorneyMason, Fenwick & Lawrence ABSTRACT: A runner checker for measuring and indicating the length of yarn being fed from the warp beam section ofa warp-knitting machine, including a pulse generator mounted on each tension letoff controller assembly ofa warp beam section to produce pulses related to unit lengths of warp yarn feed, a device connected to the pattern wheel drive shaft of the knitting machine for producing pulses related to pattern wheel rotation, and electronic circuitry responding to the pulses to indicate the yarn runner length in a rack of cloth. A variable speed-coupling is provided between the pulse generator and the drive wheel of the tension letoff controller.

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ATTORNEYS RUNNER-CHECKER APPARATUS WITII VARIABLE- SPEED MECHANISM BACKGROUND AND OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to runner-checker means for measuring and indicating the length of warp yarn in inches feeding from each warp beam section of a warp-knitting machine to produce one rack of warp knit fabric.

Knitting machines have one or several warp beam sections, each warp beam section of which can be defined as a row of cylindrical metal spools on which warp yarns are wound. The warp yarns are drawn from the beams to guide bars and then to the needle bars where the fabric is knitted. The knitted fabric, which is typically 168 inches in width, then feeds from the needle bars to the takeup roll or rolls where the knitted fabric is accumulated in roll form. Warp-knitting machines usually have two to four warp beam sections. The yarn from each warp beam section has a tension letoff control that governs the tension or feed rate of warp yarn passing over the guide bar to the needle bar. The mill-operating personnel need to check the warp yarn feed rate from each warp beam section at least once every 8-hour shift to be certain proper tension is maintained. The feed rate of yarn from each warp beam section is adjusted at the beginning of each production run to a predetermined value. Adjusting yarn feed rates and choosing a pattern wheel gear ratio providing 12, 16 or 24 courses per revolution generally covers the range required for various knitted fabric styles. Assuming a warp-knitting machine main drive shaft is rotating at 1,200 revolutions per minute, there will be 1,200 courses per minute. Using the 12 courses-perrevolution gears, the pattern wheel will rotate at 100 revolutions per minute. The 16 courses-per-revolution gears provide a pattern wheel rotation of 75 revolutions per minute, and the 24 courses-per-revolution gears provide 50 revolutions per minute of the pattern wheel, assuming the 1,200 revolution per minute main drive shaft speed. A rack of knitted cloth is defined as the length of cloth produced when a knitting machine knits 480 courses, a course being defined as one row of loops or stitches running across the total width of the knitted fabric. The desired measurement to be made is to determine the length of yarn runner in inches required to produce one rack of knitted cloth.

At present, the mill operator customarily uses a portable runner checker instrument usually attached to a long handle, to measure the length of yarn reeling off of the warp beam section. This portable runner checker comprises a rubber tired metal wheel that drives a mechanical counter. This device provides a readout in inches to the nearest inch for 20, 30 or 40 revolutions of the pattern wheel. A lZ-course pattern wheel rotates 40 revolutions to produce one rack of 480 courses, a l6-course pattern wheel rotates 30 revolutions, and a 24-course pattern wheel rotates 20 revolutions for one rack.

An object of the present invention is the provision of a runner checker which can be mounted on conventional knitting machines to measure the length of yarn being fed from the warp beam section to produce one rack of finished knitted fabric and provide an indication in inches of this length of yarn. The device comprises a pulse generator mounted on each tension letoff controller assembly of a warp beam section, a subassembly to be connected to the pattern wheel drive shaft for producing a pulse for each pattern wheel revolution, and electronic circuitry responding to the pulses from the pulse generator and from means clamped to the pattern wheel drive shaft for responding to the pulses and indicating the yarn runner length in a rack of cloth. A variable diameter pulley is provided in the coupling train between the pulse generator and the tension letoff controller to permit calibra' tion of the runner checker to whatever standards of reference a mill may want to use.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES FIGS. 1A and 1B collectively form a block diagram of the runner checker unit of the present invention;

, formation 12a of the automatic tension letoff unit to support the pulse generator in proper position. Internally of the pulse FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the pulse generator and the automatic tension letoff control arm of each warp beam section on which the pulse generator is mounted;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the basic pulse generator components;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the pattern wheel revolution monitor;

FIG. 5 is an exploded view of the pulse generator and coupling to the automatic tension letoff control arm, having a variable speed unit;

FIGS. 6a, 6b and 6c are elevation views showing the variable diameter pulley for the unit of FIG. 5 in maximum diameter, normal diameter, and minimum diameter positions; and

FIG. 7 is a vertical section view through the variable diameter pulley, taken along the line 7-7 of FIG.6c.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring to the drawings, wherein like reference characters designate corresponding parts throughout the several figures, the runner checker unit is shown in block diagram form in FIGS. 1A and 1B, and includes a pulse generator indicated generally by the reference character 10 which is mounted on the tension letoff unit used on each warp beam section, one of which is indicated by the reference character 11 in.FIG. 2. The pulse generator is mounted in the manner indicated in FIG. 2 by being clamped to the automatic tension letoff controller indicated at 12. In one practical embodiment, the pulse generator 10 is assembled in a housing 13 which, for example, is about 3 inches wide, 3.5 inches high, and 3.375 inches deep, which is secured by bolts 14 to a mounting bracket block assembly 15 forming a split mounting block having an aperture therein properly sized to clamp about the enlarged cylindrical generator is an encoder disc 16 which, for example, has equally spaced slots chemically etched on a 1.0625 inch radius disc disposed so that light from the lamp 17 within the housing 13 will pass through the encoder disc and impinge on the active area of a phototransistor 18. In one embodiment illustrated in FIG. 2, an external drive wheel 19, which is, for example, a polyurethane-rimmed drive wheel that is 3.8196 inches in diameter providing a 12.0-inch circumference, is journaled for rotation in a bearing in a wall of' the pulsegenerator housing 13 and is coupled by a shaft 16a to the encoder disc 16 to drive the encoder disc. A wheel of the particular size indicated above will cause one revolution of the encoder disc, and thus 120 pulses, for every 12 inches of yarn feeding off of the warp beam section with which the pulse generator 10 is associated.

A special antijitter coupling is provided in the drive train for the encoder disc 16, as indicated schematically in FIG. 3, to eliminate false counting. It has been found that an oscillatory or rocking motion of the warp yarn beam due to vibration may cause pulse generators to produce multiple counts, which would produce an abnormally high readout in inches. This is eliminated by providing the shaft 16a in two sections, indicated in FIG. 3 as 16a coupled to the disc 16 and 16a" coupled to the drive wheel, each journaled in bearing and block assemblies 16d. The two shaft sections are coupled together by two flat discs indicated at 16b and 16c in FIG. 3, which are spaced about vii-inch apart. The disc 16c has a roll pin inserted into the disc, while the disc 16b has a slot 16b milled into it, approximately A-inch long, into which the roll pin 160' extends. The motion of the first coupling disc 160 does not transfer to the second disc 16b except when the roll pin 16c presses against one of the ends of the slot 16b. This configuration allows the disc 16b to rotate only when the pin I6c presses against the leading sidewall of the slots 16b. The effect is similar to that of a ratchet or omnidirectional clutch.

While a drive wheel 19 is shown in FIG. 2 as the means to transfer rotation from the letoff unit drive wheel to the encoder disc 16, an alternate means is preferred in certain applications to permit calibration of the runner checker in different ways. The method of obtaining runner length varies from plant to plant. Some mills use a portable indicator unit with measuring wheels that are held against the yarn beam section surface and accumulates surface inches traveled by the wheels from the start to the end of the rack, as previously described, and other mills use a method of marking an individual yarn strand at the start and end of one rack and measuring the actual distance in inches between marks. The measurements obtained by these two methods sometimes do not agree, and may differ as much as 1 inch depending on the runner length. The variable speed unit illustrated in FIG. 5 provides the customer with a means of calibrating the runner checker to agree with the standard reference the particular textile mill may use.

As illustrated in FIG. 5, the automatic tension letoff controller, generally indicated by the reference character 12, is modified to provide an additional fixed diameter drive pulley 12b on the shaft which supports the letoff unit drive wheel. The pulse generator is of the same internal construction and basic components as the pulse generator of the previously described embodiment, and is incorporated in the housing 13 carried on a mounting plate 15a which is in turn fastened to a split mounting block 15 clamped to the cylindrical enlargement 12a of the tension letoff unit. The shaft 16a driving the encoder disc 16 and projecting externally of the casing 13' has an adjustable diameter pulley 50 thereon shown in FIGS. 6a, 6b and 6c and FIG. 7, which is coupled to the fixed diameter drive pulley 12b by a flat drive belt 12c. The pulley 50 may be constructed from a conventional flat belt pulley by separating it into a hub section 51 fixed to the shaft 16a, and an outer groove-defining section 52 which is split into two halves 52a and 52b. The halves 52a, 521;, are each pivotally supported on the hub section 51 by roll pins 53. A diameter-adjusting screw 54 extends between concave cam surfaces 52a, 52b along the confronting edges of the pulley halves 52a and 52b and is threaded into the hub section 51, so that by adjusting the screw 54, the pulley diameter can be increased by rotating the screw clockwise or can be decreased by rotating the screw counterclockwise. Two locking screws 55 with associated flat and lock washers are provided to permit the pulley diameter to be secured after the required diameter has been adjusted. The outer flange portion, generally indicated at 56, of each pulley half 52a, 52b may be provided with a concave groove as shown in which a neoprene or resilient O-ring 57 is seated to resiliently urge the halves 52a, 52b to the minimum diameter position.

The variable diameter pulley arrangement provides a simple and reliable method of adjusting the pulse generator speed of rotation with reference to the letoff drive wheel. This feature gives the textile mill a runner checker that can be calibrated to agree with either standard of reference they prefer to use. The mounting plate 15a is slotted as shown to permit adjustment of optimum flat-belt tension.

As illustrated in the block diagram of FIG. 1A, one additional pulse generator unit 10A is employed for a two-bar or warp beam section machine, another pulse generator 103 of like construction is employed with a three-bar machine, a fourth pulse generator 10C is employed with a four-bar machine, and so on. The output leads from each of these pulse generators, connected along with power supply leads to the main electronics housing through the connector and cable assembly 20 associated with each respective pulse generator, is indicated by the lead 21 in FIG. 1 and is coupled from the emitter of the phototransistor 18 to a BAR NUMBER switch 22 of the main electronics housing. The movable arm or wiper of the BAR NUMBER switch 22 is coupled through a resistor to a counter driver CD1 which drives the four-decade counters in the decimal display modules unit 24, to be later described. This unit, which will be described in greater detail later, includes four decade counters DCI, DC2, DC3 and DC4, for binary-to-decimal decoder/driver units DDl, DD2, DB3 and DD4, and four readout indicator tubes T1, T2, T3

and T4, such as NIXIE gas-filled numerical indicator tubes manufactured by Burroughs Corporation.

A pattern wheel revolution monitor is provided, which is illustrated in FIG. 4, coupled to the conventional pattern wheel on the knitting machine, and includes an aluminum disc 25, which is for example 9 inches in diameter, having a small magnet 26 secured on the rim. The disc 25 clamps to the pattern wheel-drive shaft, indicated at 27, by means of a conventional hub and setscrew 28. An adjustable bracket assembly 29 supports a reed switch 30 on the knitting machine. Each revolution of the pattern wheel disc magnet 26 causes the contacts of the reed switch 30 to close momentarily. Whenever the magnet 26 passes the reed switch 30 and a contact closure occurs 41 times with a pattern wheel having 12 courses, one rack will be indicated. This means 40 revolutions at 12 courses per revolution or 480 courses. When contact closure occurs 31 times with a pattern wheel having 16 courses, one rack is completed, and when contact closure occurs 21 times with a pattern wheel having 24 courses, one rack is completed.

The apparatus in general comprises a pulse generator 10 mounted on each tension letoff controller assembly of each warp beam section, the aluminum disc 25 that clamps to the pattern wheel drive shaft of the knitting machine and has the magnet 26 thereon so that as the reed switch 30 will actuate once for each pattern wheel revolution, and an electronic housing which includes integrated circuit digital circuitry and 4-digit readout devices that indicate the yarn runner length in a rack (from 000.0 to 999.9 inches). Whenever the mill operator rotates the BAR NUMBER switch 22 to the desired position and depresses the START pushbutton PB], located on the front panel of the electronic housing, a readout showing inches of yarn in a rack will appear in about 10 to 50 seconds, depending on the drive shaft speed and pattern wheel gears used.

Describing the general operation of the system, the START pushbutton PBl must be pressed to clear the counter display in the decimal display modules unit 24 of the previous measurement. Assuming the knitting machine is operating, the readout indicator tubes T1 to T4 will start indicating inches of runner length in inches, the instant the magnet 26 on the disc 25 clamped to the pattern wheel drive shaft passes the reed switch 30. The readout will continue to accumulate inches of runner length until the magnet 26 mounted in the pattern wheel disc 25 passes the reed switch 21 31 or 41 times.

A 24-course pattern wheel requires 480l24=20 revolutions of the pattern wheel or 480 revolutions of the main drive shaft to produce one rack, a l6-course pattern wheel requires 480/l6=30 revolutions to produce one rack and a l2-course pattern wheel requires 480/12 40 revolutions to produce one rack. The 21, 31 or 41 switch closures correlates with 480 courses in one rack as the preset counter 31 counts 21 31 and 41 switch closures instead of 20, 30 and 40 switch closures, since the first switch-closure is used for the zero starting point. The next 20, 30 or 40 complete revolutions are required in addition to the first. The preset counter 31 inhibits further counting the instant the pattern wheel shaft rotates 20, 30 or 40 times.

Whenever the length of runner in inches (to the nearest 0.l inch) has been logged for warp beam number 1, for example, then the BAR NUMBER switch can be rotated to the number 2 position, and after the START pushbutton switch FBI has been depressed, the inches of runner length will start accumulating in the readout indicator tubes T1 to T4.

When the optical-type pulse generator 10 and bracket assembly 15 are installed on each automatic letoff tension control arm 12, the warp beam rotational surface movement is transferred directly from the warp yarn surface to the springloaded tension letoff wheel of the tension controller assembly and then to the pulse generator polyurethane-rimmed drive wheel 19. Each revolution of the pulse generator drive wheel 19 produces output pulses by means of the light source 17, the encoder disc 16 with 120 slotted apertures, and the phototransistor 18. This configuration permits resolution of 0.1 inch since each pulse-generator shaft revolution covers 12 inches of warp yarn surface. The pulse generator drive wheel 19 rotates continuously while the knitting machine is running.

The circuitry as indicated in FIG. 1 includes a reset generator 32 having a time delay flip-flop FF4, the output from which is connected to the reset input terminals of flip-flops FFl, FF 2 and FF3. The output from flip-flop FFI is coupled to a one shot multivibrator SS1, the O-output of which is coupled to the SET input terminal of flip-flop FFZ and to a reset driver 33. The output of reset driver 33 provides a reset signal applied to AND-gate associated with each of the decade counters DCl, DC2, DC3 and DC4, as indicated in the drawing, to reset these counters, and to AND-gates associated with each of the decade counters DCS and DC6 of the preset counter 31. The reed switch 30 is connected to a +28-volt DC source and to ground through a pair of resistors forming a voltage divider, the midpoint of which is connected to the A-input of AND-gate A61. The B-input of gate A61 is connected to the Q-output terminal of flip-flop FF2. The AND-gate A61 is connected through amplifier 34 to one-shot multivibrator SS2, the Q-output of which is connected to the 3 flip-flop FF3 whose output is connected to a shunt switch 35 coupled between the BAR NUMBER switch 22 and the counter driver CD1. The O-output of the one-shot SS2 connects to the counter driver CD2 which controls the decade counter DC5 in the preset counter 31. A reset driver 36 connects to the AND- gate A62 in the preset counter 31, the A-input to which is connected through a COURSES PER REVOLUTION switch 37 whose stationary contacts are respectively assigned 20, 30 and 40 pulse-counts from the decade counters DCS and DC6, while the B-input to AND-gate AG2 is connected through an amplifier from the one-count output terminal of the decade counter DCS.

Whenever the 1l8-volt AC power switch for the electronic system is placed in the ON position, a 5-volt DC-supply voltage, after a few milliseconds time delay period, feeds to the input of the time delay Flip-flop FF4. The Q-output of flip-flop FF4 goes high (to the +5 .O-volt level) and automatically resets flip-flops FF], FF2, and FF3. Depressing the START pushbutton PBl places flip-flop FFI in the SET position and the Q- output of this flip-flop goes high, resetting the four decade counters DCl, DC2, DC3 and DC4 in the decimal display modules unit 24 and the two decade counters DCS and DC6 in the preset counter 31 to zero. The one-shot multivibrator SS1 generates a +5-volt pulse that has a 5-millisecond duration, the pulse on the O-output from SS1 being differentiated by the resistor-capacitor network at its output to provide a S-millisecond delay and then place the flip-flop FF2 in the SET position. The Q-output of flip-flop FF2 then goes high, placing the B-input on AND-gate A01 in the high position.

No measurement will be indicated in the readout indicator tubes T1, T2, T3 and T4 of the decimal display modules unit 24 until the instant the pattern wheel disc 25 and magnet 26 passes the reed switch 30, whereupon the A-input on the AND-gate AGl will be placed in the high position. AND-gate AGl output will now go to the high position and trigger the oneshot multivibrator SS2. When the Q-output of the multivibrator SS2 goes high, the flip-flop FF3 will go to the low output on the O-terminal. This opens the shunt switch 35 coupled to the input to counter driver CD! for the counters of the decimal display modules unit 24. so that pulses feeding from the pulse generator can accumulate in the decade counters DC 1, DCZ, DC3 and DC4 providing a readout in inches from 000.0 to 999.9 inches on the indicator tubes T1, T2, T3 and T4. The preset counter 31 will accumulate one count each time the pattern wheel disc magnet 26 passes the reed switch 30, thus monitoring the rotation of the pattern wheel.

Assuming the preset counter 31 is set for a pattern wheel having 12 courses per revolution, then the COURSES PER REVOLUTION switch 37 will be placed in the 12 position. When the AND-gate A62 is high (has a one) on its B-input and is high (has a forty) on its A-input, then the output of AND-gate A62 will go high. The high output on AND-gate A02 will feed to the reset driver 36 and reset flip-flop s FF1, FF2 and FF3 so that the Q-outputs will go low and the Q-output will go high. When the 6-0utput of flip-flop FF3 goes high the pulse train output from the pulse generator 10 selected by the BAR NUMBER switch 22 will be shunted to ground through the shunt switch 35, and the readout indicator tubes T1, T2, T3 and T4 will hold in memory the readout in inches until the START pushbutton switch FBI is depressed again.

If the BAR NUMBER switch 22 were set to apply pulses from the pulse generator 10 monitoring the first warp beam section to the counter driver CD1 for the first measurement of yarn runner length for a rack, the operator would then shift the BAR NUMBER switch 22 to the number 2 position and depress the START pushbutton switch FBI to commence measurement of the yarn runner length by monitoring the pulses produced by pulse generator 10A associated with the second warp beam section. In similar manner, after obtaining the measurement for the second warp beam section, the BAR NUMBER switch 22 and the START pushbutton switch PBI would be activated to successively monitor the third, and any further warp beam sections, if any, on the knitting machine.

What is claimed is:

1. Runner checker apparatus for use with a knitting machine having at least one warp beam section, a contact wheel rotated by engagement with the warp yarn surface of each respective warp beam section, and a pattern wheel which rotates in selected relation to courses-per-revolution factor for the machine; the apparatus comprising a pattern wheel monitor means for producing first pulses at a selected pulse rate per revolution of the pattern wheel, a pulse generator mounted on the knitting machine including a rotatable device for generating second pulses at a selected rate per revolution and a variable diameter pulley connected to said rotatable member for rotating the same and coupled by a drive belt to said contact wheel of each respective warp beam section to produce the second pulses at a selected rate for selected unit-length increments of warp yarn fed from the associated warp beam section, counter display means including counter circuitry and digit readout devices coupled thereto for indicating yarn runner length in inches, first circuit means for applying said second pulses to said counter display means to cause the latter to indicate yarn runner length responsive to the second pulses from said pulse generator device, preset counter means for receiving said first pulses from said pattern wheel monitor means, and second circuit means responsive to attainment of a preselected count by said preset counter means to terminate application of said second pulses to said counter display means.

2. Runner checker apparatus as defined in claim I, wherein said second circuit means comprises a shunting device conditioned by said preset counter means and coupled to said first circuit means to permit second pulses to be applied to said counter display means from a starting count condition until said preset counter means attains said preselected count and then establishes a shunt path preventing further application of said second pulses to said counter display means.

3. Runner checker apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said pattern wheel monitor means includes an activator rotated with the pattern wheel and a switch activated by the activator once each revolution to produce the first pulses, and said preset counter means includes a manually adjustable switch for producing an output to activate said second circuit means when the count of said first pulses signifies that the pattern wheel has rotated a proper number of revolutions to produce one rack of fabric.

4. Runner checker means as defined in claim 3, wherein said activator is a rotatable member coupled to the pattern wheel for rotation therewith and having a magnet thereon, and said switch is a reed switch positioned adjacent the periphery of said rotatable member to be closed once each revolution of the latter and produce one first pulse per revolution.

5. Runner checker apparatus as defined in claim I, wherein said pulse generator includes a light source, a photosensitive device and a rotatable disc therebetween having circumferential slots, and said variable diameter pulley being connected by a shaft with said disc and manually adjustable to different selected diameters for rotating the disc in adjustably coordinated relation to rotation of said contact wheel to produce pulses at a selected rate relative to feeding of warp yarn from the warp beam.

6. Runner checker apparatus as defined in claim 2, wherein said pulse generator includes a light source, a photosensitive device and a rotatable disc therebetween having circumferential slots, and said variable diameter pulley being connected by a shaft with said disc and manually adjustable to different selected diameters for rotating the disc in adjustably coordinated relation to rotation of said contact wheel to produce pulses at a selected rate relative to feeding of warp yarn from the warp beam.

7. Runner checker apparatus as defined in claim 1, the knitting machine having a plurality of warp beam sections and a corresponding number of said contact wheels respectively rotated by the warp yarn surface thereof, a plurality of said pulse generators each associated with a different one of said warp beam sections and driven in correlated relation to the contact wheels thereof, and said first circuit means including a beam selector switch having first contacts respectively connected to said pulse generators to receive the second pulses produced thereby and a movable second contact connected to the counter display means, said beam selector switch being adjustable to plural positions by movement of said second contact to select any of the warp beam sections for which runner length is to be monitored and couple the second pulses from the pulse generator for such selected warp beam section to the counter display unit to produce an indication of the yarn runner length being fed from the warp beam section.

8. Runner checker apparatus as defined in claim 5, the knitting machine having a plurality of warp beam sections and a corresponding number of said contact wheels respectively rotated by the warp yarn surface thereof, a plurality of said pulse generators each associated with a different one of said warp beam sections and driven through said variable diameter pulley and drive belt in correlated relation to the contact wheels thereof, and said first circuit means including a beam selector switch having first contacts respectively connected to said pulse generators to receive the second pulses produced thereby and a movable second contact connected to the counter display means, said beam selector switch being adjustable to plural positions by movement of said second contact to select any of the warp beam sections for which runner length is to be monitored and couple the second pulses from the pulse generator for such selected warp beam section to the counter display unit to produce an indication of the yarn runner length being fed from the warp beam section.

9. Runner checker apparatus as defined in claim 6, the knitting machine having a plurality of warp beam sections and a corresponding number of said contact wheels respectively rotated by the warp yarn surface thereof, a plurality of said pulse generators each associated with a different one of said warp beam sections and driven through said variable diameter pulley and drive belt in correlated relation to the contact wheels thereof, and said first circuit means including a beam selector switch having first contacts respectively connected to said pulse generators to receive the second pulses produced thereby and a movable second contact connected to the counter display means, said beam selector switch being adjustable to plural positions by movement of said second contact to select any of the warp beam sections for which runner length is to be monitored and couple the second pulses from the pulse generator for such selected warp beam section to the counter display unit to produce an indication of the yarn runner length being fed from the warp beam section. 

1. Runner checker apparatus for use with a knitting machine having at least one warp beam section, a contact wheel rotated by engagement with the warp yarn surface of each respective warp beam section, and a pattern wheel which rotates in selected relation to courses-per-revolution factor for the machine; the apparatus comprising a pattern wheel monitor means for producing first pulses at a selected pulse rate per revolution of the pattern wheel, a pulse generator mounted on the knitting machine including a rotatable device for generating second pulses at a selected rate per revolution and a variable diameter pulley connected to said rotatable member for rotating the same and coupled by a drive belt to said contact wheel of each respective warp beam section to produce the second pulses at a selected rate for selected unit-length increments of warp yarn fed from the associated warp beam section, counter display means including counter circuitry and digit readout devices coupled thereto for indicating yarn runner length in inches, first circuit means for applying said second pulses to said counter display means to cause the latter to indicate yarn runner length responsive to the second pulses from said pulse generator device, preset counter means for receiving said first pulses from said pattern wheel monitor means, and second circuit means responsive to attainment of a preselected count by said preset counter means to terminate application of said second pulses to said counter display means.
 2. Runner checker apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said second circuit means comprises a shunting device conditioned by said preset counter means and coupled to said first circuit means to permit second pulses to be applied to said counter display means from a starting count condition until said preset counter means attains said preselected count and then establishes a shunt path preventing further application of said second pulses to said counter display means.
 3. Runner checker apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said pattern wheel monitor means includes an activator rotated with the pattern wheel and a switch activated by the activator once each revolution to produce the first pulses, and said preset counter means includes a manually adjustable switch for producing an output to activate said second circuit means when the count of said first pulses signifies that the pattern wheel has rotated a proper number of revolutions to produce one rack of fabric.
 4. Runner checker means as defined in claim 3, wherein said activator is a rotatable member coupled to the pattern wheel for rotation therewith and having a magnet thereon, and said switch is a reed switch positioned adjacent the periphery of said rotatable member to be closed once each revolution of the latter and produce one first pulse per revolution.
 5. Runner checker apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said pulse generator includes a light source, a photosensitive device and a rotatable disc therebetween having circumferential slots, and said variable diameter pulley being connected by a shaft with said disc and manually adjustable to different selected diameters for rotating the disc in adjustably coordinated relation to rotation of said contact wheel to produce pulses at a Selected rate relative to feeding of warp yarn from the warp beam.
 6. Runner checker apparatus as defined in claim 2, wherein said pulse generator includes a light source, a photosensitive device and a rotatable disc therebetween having circumferential slots, and said variable diameter pulley being connected by a shaft with said disc and manually adjustable to different selected diameters for rotating the disc in adjustably coordinated relation to rotation of said contact wheel to produce pulses at a selected rate relative to feeding of warp yarn from the warp beam.
 7. Runner checker apparatus as defined in claim 1, the knitting machine having a plurality of warp beam sections and a corresponding number of said contact wheels respectively rotated by the warp yarn surface thereof, a plurality of said pulse generators each associated with a different one of said warp beam sections and driven in correlated relation to the contact wheels thereof, and said first circuit means including a beam selector switch having first contacts respectively connected to said pulse generators to receive the second pulses produced thereby and a movable second contact connected to the counter display means, said beam selector switch being adjustable to plural positions by movement of said second contact to select any of the warp beam sections for which runner length is to be monitored and couple the second pulses from the pulse generator for such selected warp beam section to the counter display unit to produce an indication of the yarn runner length being fed from the warp beam section.
 8. Runner checker apparatus as defined in claim 5, the knitting machine having a plurality of warp beam sections and a corresponding number of said contact wheels respectively rotated by the warp yarn surface thereof, a plurality of said pulse generators each associated with a different one of said warp beam sections and driven through said variable diameter pulley and drive belt in correlated relation to the contact wheels thereof, and said first circuit means including a beam selector switch having first contacts respectively connected to said pulse generators to receive the second pulses produced thereby and a movable second contact connected to the counter display means, said beam selector switch being adjustable to plural positions by movement of said second contact to select any of the warp beam sections for which runner length is to be monitored and couple the second pulses from the pulse generator for such selected warp beam section to the counter display unit to produce an indication of the yarn runner length being fed from the warp beam section.
 9. Runner checker apparatus as defined in claim 6, the knitting machine having a plurality of warp beam sections and a corresponding number of said contact wheels respectively rotated by the warp yarn surface thereof, a plurality of said pulse generators each associated with a different one of said warp beam sections and driven through said variable diameter pulley and drive belt in correlated relation to the contact wheels thereof, and said first circuit means including a beam selector switch having first contacts respectively connected to said pulse generators to receive the second pulses produced thereby and a movable second contact connected to the counter display means, said beam selector switch being adjustable to plural positions by movement of said second contact to select any of the warp beam sections for which runner length is to be monitored and couple the second pulses from the pulse generator for such selected warp beam section to the counter display unit to produce an indication of the yarn runner length being fed from the warp beam section. 